On the Road – TEFAF New York

Every year, one of the most important art and design fairs in Europe (TEFAF Maastricht) sets up in New York City. In the fall, galleries sell ancient to 20th-century decorative arts and paintings. In the spring, the galleries sell modern to contemporary works.

This year we were in N.Y.C. during the fall show, and we were privileged to see rare and exquisite objects that you might see in a museum — with prices to match. Since the dealers are some of the top dealers in their fields, most items are unique. Each dealer has his or her own specialty from ancient art to illuminated manuscripts. Many are the top dealers in the world, so expect many items to be fully researched with a known provenance (history of who owned the antique). It isn’t unusual for a piece to have remained in a family’s possession for hundreds of years. Here is a photo journey of the fair with some highlighted objects that caught our eye and show what you can buy if you have an unlimited budget.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Madrid cabinet, an important piece, made about 1569 in the city of Augsburg, Germany. At the time it was the cabinet making center of the world with more than 300 cabinetmakers. The cabinetmakers were not allowed to use paint in any of their cabinets, so all the colors seen are made naturally. The green wood is white poplar infected with a green fungus. The shading was created by placing the wood in hot sand. Secret drawers are hidden throughout the piece. The inlaid work is called intarsia. It is only one of three of this caliber and was purchased by a museum in the U.S. Various inlaid woods, etched and fire-gilt iron. Made by the famous Augsburg cabinetmaker Bartholomeus Weisshaupt who worked for King Phillip II of Spain.

Picasso vase, Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), 1957, stamped “Madoura Plein Feu” and “Edition Picasso” and marked “Edition Picasso 6/50.” White faience clay, slipware engraved by knife, paraffin and white glaze, 22 by 10 by 10 in., $180,000.

Micro-mosaic picture of a rabbit made of tiny pieces of stone, $75,000

Tiffany hood, Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933), from Tiffany’s mansion on 72nd Street in NYC., 1882-1885. Wrought iron and mica, this hood was stored in a garage for 50 years. The clear “glass” was originally mica, a see-through fireproof type of rock. $475,000

Jeweled book cover and illuminated manuscript, Book of Hours, made for Queen Claude of France by the Master of Claude of France (the artist was “named” after this work and was active in Tours c.1520-1523). Extremely small illuminated manuscript on vellum. With numerous references to the queen and in a size common at this time in court, this book is one of the finest in private hands. It was rebound in a jeweled binding of gold enamel studded with diamonds from the court of Emperor Rudolf II of Habsburg, Prague, c.1600-1610. From the Rothchild Collection. $7.8 million

Nautilus shell, c.1670, from Knutstorp Castle, Sweden. Given to the family as a wedding gift c.1860. A similar mount was given to the National Museum of Stockholm by Sweden’s King Carl XV. Engraved Nautilus with fire-gilt silver. Meant as a collector’s item, it shows the combination of nature and art that was treasured by collectors in the 17th century. The shell was done in two pieces. It came from Indonesia, was engraved in the Netherlands, and the silver work was done in Sweden. It is one of a pair and in perfect condition. The second one is in the museum. $500,000

 


 

1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
5. 
6.